Collapsible tube closure



Nov. 17, 1936. G. J. WALTHER COLLAPSIBLE TUBE CLOSURE Filed Jan. 29,1936 atented cm. 17, 1936 "TED STATES PATENT OFFICE This inventionappertains to new and useful improvements in closures for collapsibletubes, the principal object of the invention being to provide a capconstructed of flexible material, wherein the discharge opening isnormally closed, but which will open automatically when the contents ofthe tube are placed under pressure, as when the tube is compressed byhand, thus permitting a discharge of the paste-or other material in thetube.

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will, becomeapparentto the reader of the following specification.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 represents a fragmentary side elevational view showing the capabout to be placed on a tube. 1

Figure 2 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view showing the cap inclosed position.

Figure 3 represents a fragmentary detailed sectional view showing thecap in open position.

Figure 4 represents a perspective sectional view of the cap.

Referring'to the drawing wherein like numerals designate like parts, itcan be seen that numeral 5 represents a collapsible tube of conventionalconstruction, the same being provided with the vneck portion 6 havingthe head or shoulder 1 extending circumferentially on the same.

Numeral 8 generally refers to the cap which is constructed of someflexible material such as rubber. The cap is of cup shape having the topportion 9 and the apron portion Ill, the apron portion of which isprovided with a circumferen- 5 tially extending internal grooveway ii.When this apron portion is forced over the neck 6, th shoulder portion Iwill be received in this grooveway H. v

The top portion 9 of the cap is provided with a short slit l2 whichforms the outlet opening, while below this depends the tubular formationl3 having the beveled edge i4.

It can now be seen, that when the contents of the tube 5 are placedunder hand compression, the paste or other material in the tube isforced 10 through the neck 6 and into the tubular formation [8 where thepressure of the rubber material causesexpanslon thereof and consequentopening of the opening l2, thus permitting the ma- 'terial to discharge.16

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specificterms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, sizeand materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as 20 claimed hereinafter.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A cap for a collapsible tube comprising a cupshaped member of elasticmaterial having a dis- 25 charge slit in the top thereof, the elasticityof the cap normally maintaining the slit closed, and a depending tubularformation in the cap, said formation depending from the upper portion ofthe cap in alignment with the slit and having 30 relatively thin wallsof elastic material disposed in spaced concentric relation with thewalls of the cap and responsive to pressure surrounding the tubularformation to open the slit.

GEORGE J. WALTHER.

